BladeHQ set up a coupon promo (code TOOLGUYD10) where readers can save 10% off your FIRST order. Spyderco and Chris Reeve Knives are excluded brands, and there could be others.
You must be a first time buyer to use this promo code.
They don’t just sell knives – I’ve purchased multi-tools, paracord, and various EDC tools and accessories from them over the years.
Let’s talk a little about that.
I placed my first order at BladeHQ in 2010. ToolGuyd joined their affiliate program in 2012. They sent me a test sample of one of the cutest Victorinox Swiss Arm Knives I’ve ever seen, and I also bought a couple of knives at a discount.
My contact shifted roles or something like that, and from maybe 2013 on, I paid retail for everything.
Basically, I’ve been shopping at BladeHQ for nearly 16 years, and ToolGuyd has been an affiliate for nearly 14 years.
What’s an affiliate? If you place a purchase through a special link, such as the one above or this one here, they pay us a commission or referral fee based on your order amount. I figure everyone knows that by now, but it was worth a quick mention in case you didn’t.
I’ve been a satisfied customer.
ToolGuyd spent a considerable amount on knife, tool, EDC gear, and accessory test samples from BladeHQ between 2012 and 2023, and then nothing in 2024 or 2025.
I made it a point to explore knives in the $20 to $75 range, but exploring different brands, new materials, and modern designs really brought the pain on my wallet.
ToolGuyd can’t just explore the samples that are given to me. I also can’t just narrowly focus on what’s popular. What’s the difference between front and rear flippers? Micarta and canvas handle scales? Liner vs frame lock? Different blade shapes and steels? What makes a $50 knife an exceptionally good value?
Talking about anything requires depth and context. Knives are the type of product where hands-on exploration is necessary for competency.
It might sound like I’m trying to convince myself, and maybe I am. I checked 12 years of expense records and was really shocked by how much I spent, but I do similar with other hand tool and storage product categories. ToolGuyd encourages this.
While I haven’t formally reviewed everything I’ve bought to explore or test, the experiences contributed to my familiarity and recommendations.
Categories such as flashlights and knives tend to be fast-moving with short product cycles and rolling availability, and there’s also the matter of how much knife content readers can tolerate.
I spent more some years than others, and then $0 in the past 2+ years. Zero.
I recently talked about how difficulties with our ad network pretty much put a stop in my knife and EDC content plans and interests. There’s been years of trouble over false and unjust policy violations, but the threat of site-wide restrictions put a hard stop on content as well as my explorations. ToolGuyd can’t spend money on knives or EDC gear with zero content potential.
But now, I’ve created an ad-free and hopefully ad network interference-free category, and I hope to get started with knife content again.
Part of this was prompted by renewed communications with BladeHQ.
BladeHQ sent over some fresh test samples to help get me started, and a coupon code for first-time shoppers.
As an existing shopper, I’m thinking “what about me?!” Maybe there will be more promos or things like this in the future. For now, a coupon code for first-time shoppers sounded a lot better than no coupon code at all.
They asked if I was eager for ToolGuyd to participate, and I am absolutely am. I’m very appreciative of the support and encouragement they’ve given me these past few months.
I have had great experiences with BladeHQ over the years. The money I spent on test samples, plus whatever I spent before I started logging ToolGuyd expenses, were through my personal account. So when I contacted customer service, I was treated as a customer, and treated well.
We’ll see how things go.
So, enjoy the TOOLGUYD10 coupon code – use it well. As mentioned, it’s only for new customers. Maybe that’s something I can try to work on in time.
Need some recommendations? We’ll get to that soon as I get reaccustomed to posting about knife and related EDC content. The featured image above is of the Kizer Sheepdog, which starts at $70.
I might get my wife a Victorinox Swiss Army Knife Classic with “Flamingo Party” aluminum handle.
